15th Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society Conference, 22 to 26 November 2004, Bangkok, Thailand

Drained Behaviour of Sand Under Plane-Strain Conditions

D. Wanatowski
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. darek@pmail.ntu.edu.sg

J. Chu
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. cjchu@ntu.edu.sg

Abstract: In this paper, a new plane-strain apparatus is described. Experimental data obtained from drained tests on very loose to medium dense sand are presented. The failure behaviour of a granular fill material under plane-strain conditions is studied. The results show that the friction angles obtained from plane-strain tests are higher than those from triaxial tests. It is observed that under planestrain conditions shear bands will occur for medium loose to dense sand. However, no visible shear bands are observed for very loose specimens.

INTRODUCTION

Singapore is a country with very limited land resources. Offshore land reclamation has been carried out using mainly hydraulically deposited granular soils in the past to cater for further economic expansion. A study of the engineering properties of granular fill has been carried out at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. The fundamental properties and the drained and undrained behaviour of the granular fill were reported by Leong et al. (2000) and Leong (2001). Loke (2004) carried out studies on the effect of various factors such as fines content, strain rate or sample preparation methods on the stress-strain behaviour of the granular fill. Most of the experiments were conducted using triaxial compression and extension apparatuses except Gan (2002) who studied the effect of principal stress rotation on the liquefaction and the instability behaviour of the granular fill using a hollow cylinder apparatus. A plane-strain apparatus has been developed to study the stress-strain behaviour of the soil under plane-strain conditions. The importance of the experimental studies under planestrain conditions has been discussed in the literature (e.g. Bishop, 1966; Lee, 1970; Green, 1971; Marachi et al., 1981). Many common field problems, e.g. slopes, embankments, excavations, strip footings, retaining walls, approximate closely to plane-strain conditions. Various plane-strain or biaxial devices have been developed in the past to study the strength and deformation characteristics of soils under plane-strain conditions (e.g. Cornforth, 1964; Duncan & Seed, 1966; Green, 1971; Drescher et al., 1990; Finno & Rhee, 1993; Yasin et al., 1999). This paper describes the plane-strain apparatus developed at NTU. Results of drained tests on marine dredged sand used in land reclamation projects in Singapore are presented to study the differences between strength and deformation behaviour observed under plane-strain and triaxial conditions.

in position by two pairs of horizontal tie rods, as shown in Fig. 1. The rods are located two on each side of specimen, one above and one below, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore no lateral movement in the horizontal direction is allowed during a test and thus the plane-strain condition is imposed. The lateral loading platens are supported by two vertical rods which are connected to the bottom of each platen. Drainage is provided by two 38 mm in diameter porous discs placed on the top cap and the base pedestal. All rigid platens are properly enlarged and lubricated using the free-end technique to reduce the boundary constraints and to delay the occurrence of non-homogeneous deformations.

THE PLANE-STRAIN APPARATUS

Figure 1 presents a photograph of the plane-strain apparatus. It accommodates a 120 mm in height and 60 x 60 mm in cross section prismatic soil specimen. The lateral loading platens are fixed

Fig. 1. Photograph of the plane-strain apparatus.

61

The system can be controlled to conduct general stress and strain path tests including 1'/3' = const, d1'/d3' = const, and dV/d1 = const tests.

MATERIAL TESTED AND TESTING PROCEDURE

A marine dredged sand was used for experimental study. It was a silica sand with 1214% of shells. The basic properties of the sand are given in Table 1. Table 1. Basic properties of the tested sand. Mean grain size (mm) 0.30~ 0.35 Uniformity coefficient 2.0 Specific gravity Max. void ratio 0.916 Min. void ratio 0.533 Fines content (%) 0.4

2.60

Fig. 2. The plane-strain testing arrangement. The plane-strain testing arrangement is shown in Fig. 2. The axial load is provided by a digital force actuator mounted at the bottom of a loading frame. The actuator is connected to the digital load/displacement control box. The control box adjusts the movement of the base pedestal to achieve desired rate of load or rate of displacement. The cell pressure and the back pressure are applied through two digital pressure/volume controllers (DPVCs). The DPVC which controls the back pressure from the bottom of the soil specimen can also measure the volumetric change in a drained test, or can control the volume change and measure the pore water pressure change in an undrained test. In addition, the pore pressure transducer is used to record the pore water pressure at the top of the specimen. The lateral stress (2) is measured by four submersible total pressure transducers. The transducers are embedded in the lateral loading platens, with two on each side, as shown in Fig. 3. In this way, the lateral pressure at both top and bottom positions of the specimen can be measured. The total lateral pressure is evaluated as an average value obtained from four individual transducers.

The very loose specimens were prepared by a moist tamping method in which the sand was premixed to a moisture content of 5% and was saturated after the formation of the specimen. The medium loose and dense specimens were prepared by pluviating sand in water. A back pressure of 400 kPa was applied in all tests to ensure the complete saturation of the specimens. All specimens were consolidated from an isotropic stress state of 20 kPa to the required stress state along K0 path. The K0 condition was imposed by regulating the volume change of the specimen in accordance with the axial strain to maintain dV/d1 = 1, a method described by Lo & Chu (1991). The drained shearing was conducted under displacement control mode at a constant rate of 0.05 mm/min. A summary of the tests conducted is given in Table 2. The stress parameters used in the paper are defined as follows:

1 (1 ' + 2 ' + 3 ') 3 1 q= (1 2 ) 2 + ( 2 3 ) 2 + (3 1 ) 2 2 p' =

(1)

12

(2)

where p and q are the generalized mean effective stress and deviatoric stress respectively. Table 2. List of drained tests conducted. Test K0D01 K0D02 K0D03 K0D04 K0D05 K0D06 K0D07 K0D08 K0D09 eo 0.683 0.676 0.684 0.791 0.785 0.783 0.966 0.983 0.993 ec 0.678 0.665 0.669 0.784 0.771 0.760 0.932 0.914 0.900 pc' (kPa) 99.7 200.6 299.0 101.9 201.3 299.5 99.3 202.0 297.7 qc (kPa) 100.4 230.0 350.9 88.2 188.0 293.1 70.5 166.0 275.3 Ko 0.347 0.296 0.288 0.405 0.355 0.342 0.506 0.501 0.404

Fig. 3. The lateral loading platen. 62

1000

(a)
USL

600

Deviatoric Stress, q (kPa)

F2
600

F3 K0D03

Mult = = 1.43

Deviatoric Stress, q (kPa)

800

FL

MFL = 1.53

(a)

500

Critical State Line (CSL)

F2

MCSL = 1.16 F3
K0D09

400

400

K0D02 F1 K0D01 A3 A2

300
F1

A3
K0D08

200

200

A2 A1
0 100

A1
0 0 100 200 300

Initial state after Ko consolidation Failure point

400 500 600

100

K0D07

Initial state after Ko consolidation Failure point

200 300 400 500

Mean Effective Stress, p' (kPa)

Mean Effective Stress, p' (kPa)

1000

(b)
F3 F2

Initial state after Ko consolidation Failure point

600 500 400 300 200

(b)

K0D09, pc' = 298 kPa

Deviatoric Stress, q (kPa)

600

K0D03, pc' = 299 kPa K0D02, pc' = 201 kPa K0D01, pc' = 100

Deviatoric Stress, q (kPa)

800

F3
K0D08, pc' = 202 kPa

400

F1 A2 A1

F2 A3 A2
100 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

A3

K0D07, pc' = 99 kPa

200

F1
Initial state after Ko consolidation Failure point
Axial Strain, 1 (%)

0 0 2 4 6 8 10

A1

Axial Strain, 1 (%)

1 = 0.58%
Volumetric Strain, v (%)
0 0

1 = 1.06%
2 4

Zero volume change point Failure point

Volumetric Strain, v (%)
6 8 10

3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

(c)
K0D09, pc' = 298 kPa

K0D08, pc' = 202 kPa

F3 F2 F1

1 = 0.50%
-1

F3 F1 F2 K0D03, pc' = 299 K0D02, pc' = 201

-2

K0D07, pc' = 99 kPa

-3

(c)
-4

K0D01, pc' = 100

A1 = A2 = A3
0 2 4 6

Initial state after Ko consolidation Failure point

8 10 12 14

Axial Strain, 1 (%)

Axial Strain, 1 (%)

2.00

(d)

1.00

1.50

F1 F2
Effective Stress Ratio, q /p'

(d)

1.00

Effective Stress Ratio, q /p'

1.25

F3

F2
q/p'
0.75

1.50

q/p' F3 F1 F2
K0D01, pc' = 100 kPa K0D02, pc' = 201 kPa K0D03, pc' = 299 kPa

0.75

1.00

1.00

0.50

0.75

K0D07, pc' = 99 kPa K0D08, pc' = 202 kPa K0D09, pc' = 298 kPa

b- value

0.50

0.50

F3 F1

F2
b-value
0.25

0.50

b-value F3

0.25

0.25

0.00 0 2 4 6 8 10

0.00

0.00 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

0.00

Axial Strain, 1 (%)

Axial Strain, 1 (%)

Fig. 4. Typical behaviour of medium dense sand under drained conditions: (a) effective stress paths; (b) stress-strain behaviour; (c) volumetric change during shearing; (d) effective stress ratio and b-value versus axial strain curves.

Fig. 5. Typical behaviour of very loose sand under drained conditions: (a) effective stress paths; (b) stress-strain behaviour; (c) volumetric change during shearing; (d) effective stress ratio and b-value versus axial strain curves.

63

b- value

F1

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

The results of three K0 consolidated drained (CK0D) tests on medium dense specimens K0D01, K0D02, and K0D03 are shown in Fig. 4. All specimens were K0 consolidated to points A1, A2, and A3 of a mean effective stress, pc = 99.7, 200.6, and 299.0 kPa respectively. The specimens were then sheared under drained conditions with 3 maintained constant. During shearing, the deviatoric stress firstly reached a peak (F1, F2, and F3), and then reduced gradually to a constant value (Fig. 4). The gradient of the failure line obtained from the three tests is MFL = 1.53 (Fig. 4a). From the stress-strain curves shown in Fig. 4b, it can be seen that the deviatoric stress, q in all the tests reaches the maximum value at an axial strain of less than 4%. The higher pc, the higher the deviatoric stress at failure. The volumetric strain behaviour of the three tests is presented in Fig. 4c. The curves show an initial volumetric contraction and a subsequent volumetric dilation in all specimens. It can be observed that as the magnitude of initial pc increases, the amount of dilation reduces and the axial strain at zero volumetric strain increases. Fig. 4d shows the relationships between the effective stress ratio, q/p, the b-value (b = (2 3)/(1 3)), and axial strain, 1. It can be seen that all the specimens failed at the maximum effective stress ratio q/p = 1.54 and reached approximately the same effective stress ratio q/p = 1.43 at the ultimate state. The b-values obtained during shearing have varied from 0.18 to 0.34.

The results of CK0D tests on very loose sand are presented in Fig. 5. The gradient of the failure line obtained is 1.16, as shown in Fig. 5a. This value is smaller than the gradient obtained for medium dense sand (MFL = 1.53) reflecting the dependence of failure on the void ratio of sand. The stress-strain and volumetric strain curves of the tests are shown in Figs. 5b and 5c. The specimens have experienced volumetric contraction throughout the entire shearing process. It can be seen from each test that volumetric strain remains essentially constant with continuous shearing after reaching approximately 9% of axial strain. Therefore, the failure line in Fig. 5a is also critical state line (CSL). The effective stress ratio and b-value versus axial strain curves are presented in Fig. 5d. It can be observed that all specimens failed at approximately the same effective stress ratio q/p = 1.16 and the same b value of 0.28. A summary of all drained tests conducted on the q-p and the e-log p planes is shown in Fig. 6. The gradients of failure lines on the q-p plane for very loose, medium loose, and medium dense sand are 1.16, 1.35, and 1.53 respectively. The corresponding friction angles on failure are 36.0, 43.4, and 49.7. These angles are larger than the friction angles obtained from triaxial tests conducted at the same density and confining stress. Even the friction angle at the critical state obtained under plane-strain condition is different from that under triaxial condition. The ultimate state lines (USL) obtained from tests on medium loose and dense sand are also presented in Fig. 6. It can be observed that the ultimate states of medium loose and dense specimens in plane-strain tests do not form a single line, neither on the q-p (Fig. 6a) nor on the e-log p (Fig. 6b) plane. However, the two USLs, the two FLs, and the CSL obtained from tests on very loose sand are approximately parallel on the e-log p plane. These findings are consistent with the observations made by Finno & Rechenmacher (2003). They reported that the relationship between void ratio and mean effective stress is not unique but dependent on consolidation history and the initial state of sand. 5 SHEAR BAND FORMATION

Fig. 6. Summary of plane-strain tests conducted: (a) q-p plane, (b) e-log p plane. 64

The plane-strain apparatus was not developed to investigate the thickness or growth of shear bands. Therefore, sophisticated measuring techniques (e.g. X-ray, tomography, laser techniques, and stereophotogrammetry) were not used in this study. Nevertheless a digital camera was used to take shots at a close interval to detect the shear band when it became visible. Shear bands occurred during all the plane-strain tests on medium loose to medium dense specimens under drained conditions. However, no visible shear bands were observed for very loose specimens. The initiation of a shear band was detected by distortion or blurring of a grid pattern marked on a rubber membrane surface. Moreover, shear bands could be detected by a break in the lateral stress-strain curves obtained from four individual pressure transducers installed in rigid platens. Typical 2 versus 1 curves for medium dense (K0D03) and very loose (K0D08) specimens are shown in Figs. 7a and 7b respectively. It can be seen from Fig. 7a that the initiation point of a shear band can be determined as the point where local values of 2 start to change non-uniformly. This point coincides closely with the effective peak point causing failure of the sample. It should be noted that after the failure point, it was no longer an element test. The stress and strain distributions became quite nonuniform. This behaviour was observed in all medium loose and medium dense specimens. On the other hand, for very loose sand, all four values of 2 change uniformly (Fig. 7b) and there is no indication of shear band throughout the test. The same observations were made from other tests on very loose sand.

The typical mode of the shear bands observed at the end of a plane-strain test is shown in Fig. 8. The specimen slid towards the 3 direction. This is in agreement with the observation made by Chu et al. (1996).

CONCLUSIONS

The plane-strain apparatus developed at NTU is described. Some typical results obtained from drained tests on a granular fill are presented. The following conclusions can be drawn: 1) The plane-strain testing system presented can control various sophisticated stress/strain paths. The initiation of shear bands can also be observed. The failure lines on the q-p plane for very loose, medium loose, and medium dense sand are defined. The gradients of failure lines are 1.16, 1.35, and 1.53 respectively. The corresponding failure friction angles are 36.0, 43.4, and 49.7.These values are larger than those obtained from triaxial tests. The failure line obtained for very loose sand is also the critical state line (CSL). The CSL is parallel to the failure lines and ultimate state lines for medium loose to dense sand in e-log p plane. Shear bands occur during plane-strain tests on medium dense and medium loose sand under drained conditions. However, no visible shear bands are observed for very loose specimens. The initiation points of shear bands can be detected when the four lateral stress measurements begin to be different.

2)

3)

4)

5)

REFERENCES Bishop, A.W. 1966. The strength of soils as engineering materials. Gotechnique 16(2): 89-130. Chu, J., Lo, S.-C.R. & Lee, I.K. 1996. Strain softening and shear band formation of sand in multi-axial testing. Gotechnique 46(1): 63-82. Cornforth, D.H. 1964. Some experiments on the influence of strain conditions on the strength of sand. Gotechnique 14(2): 143-167. Drescher, A., Vardoulakis, I. & Han, C. 1990. A biaxial apparatus for testing soils. Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM 13(3): 226-234. Duncan, J.M., & Seed, H.B. 1966. Strength variation along failure surfaces in clay. Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, ASCE 92(SM6): 81-104. Finno, R.J. & Rechenmacher, A.L. 2003. Effects of consolidation history on critical state of sand. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE 129(4): 350-360. Finno, R.J. & Rhee, Y. 1993. Consolidation, pre- and post-peak shearing responses from internally instrumented biaxial compression device. Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM 16(4): 496-509. Gan, C.L. 2002. Instability of granular soil under general stress conditions. MEng Thesis, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Green, G.E. 1971. Strength and deformation of sand measured in an independent stress control cell. Proceedings of the Roscoe Memorial Symposium: Stress-Strain Behaviour of Soils, Cambridge University, 29-31. Lee, K.L. 1970. Comparison of plane strain and triaxial tests on sand. Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, ASCE 96(SM3): 901-923.

Fig. 7. The 2 versus 1 curves: (a) medium dense specimen K0D03, (b) very loose specimen K0D08.

Fig. 8. Typical mode of shear bands observed in plane-strain tests.

65

Leong, W.K., Chu, J. & Teh, C.I. 2000. Liquefaction and instability of a granular fill material. Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM, 23(2): 178-192. Leong, W.K. 2001. Instability behaviour of granular fill material. PhD Thesis, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Lo, S.-C.R. & Chu, J. 1991. The measurement of K0 by triaxial strain path testing. Soils and Foundations, 31(2): 181-187.

Loke, W.L. 2004. Failure mechanisms of gentle granular slopes. MEng Thesis, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Marachi, N.D., Duncan, J.M, Chan, C.K. & Seed, H.B. 1981. Plane-strain testing of sand. Laboratory Shear Strength of Soil. ASTM, STP 740: 294-302. Yasin, S.J.M., Umetsu, K., Tatsuoka, F., Arthur, J.R.F. & Dunstan, T. 1999. Plane-strain strength and deformation of sands affected by batch variations and different apparatus types. Geotechnical Testing Journal, ASTM, 22: 80-100.

66